



R E P R T 



OK TIIK 



COMMISSIOISTJERS 



OK Till! 



i* 



i* 



|at(vSon pi0nirmeKt Association 



<y^ 



TO THK 



Cegislatitre of tl)e State of Couisimia. 



FEBR.XJ.A.I^"5r, 1856. 



I^ATUN lioUGE 

A 1) \ O {• A r i; STEAM I' o W R R 

lHr,(,. 









R E P R T 



OJ? THE 



COMMISSIOISTERS 



OF TUB 



Rtiisaw mmiwunt %$BBt\i\Um\ 



TO THE 



Ccgislatuvc of tl)c 0tatc of Couisiatm. 



FEBIiXJ-A.K.'Se', 1856. 



BATON ROUGE : 

ADVOCATE STEAM POWER PRESS PRINT. 

1850. 



F 



In Exchange 

Peabody Inst, of Balto. 

June 16 1927 






i^ei=o:r,t 



OF TOE 



Commissiontrs of }[je |:iclis0ii glonumtnt Association. 



Office of the Jackson Monument Association, 1 
New Orleans, 20th February, 1856. j 

To the Honorable the Senate, 

and House of Representatives of the State of Louisiana. 

The undersigned on behalf of the Jackson Monument Association, 
would respectfully represent, 

That exactly one year from this date, they had the honor to sub- 
mit a report to the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana, 
showing at length the operations of the Association since its organi- 
zation on the 11th of January, 1851, a copy of which is hereunto 
annexed for general purposes of reference. 

In that report the commissioners described in detail the arrange- 
ments made for the erection of a Colossal Bronze Equestrian Statue 
of Andrew Jackson, on Jackson Square, and the contract entered 
into with Clark Mills, the sculptor, for carrying out this patriotic 
design. 

The anticipations indulged in then by the commissioners have since 
been happily realized : but, before proceeding to the final surrender of 
a portion of the honorary task imposed on us by the State of Louisi- 
ana, we shall briefly state for the information of your Honorable 
Bodies, and of the people of Louisiana, some of the important events 



which preceded the consummation of this great and eminently satis- 
factory work. 

Under resolutions adopted by the commissioners on the 16th of 
October last, the corner stone which was laid in Jackson Square in 
1840, assisted by Major-Gen. Andrew Jackson, when on a visit to this 
city, was removed on the 30th of October, 1855, and deposited to- 
gether with a box containing the documents recorded below, within 
the pedestal of the present statue, in presence of Gen. J. B. Plauche, 
Joseph Genois, Charles Gayarre, James H. Caldwell, and A. D. 
Grossman. 

CONTENTS OF THE BOX. 

1. Proceedings of a Public Meeting held at the St. Louis Ex- 
change, city of New Orleans, on the 11th January, 1851. 

2. Civil Code of Louisiana. 

3. Names of the Commissioners, Artist, and Constructor of the 
Equestrian Statue and Pedestal. 

4. A brief history of Gen. Andrew Jackson. 

5. Names of the President of the United States and Cabinet. 

6. Names of the Governor and Executive Officers of the State of 
Louisiana. 

7. Names of the Mayor of New Orleans and other city officers. 

8. Copies of all the city Newspapers of the day. 

9. Report of the Commissioners of the Jackson Monument to the 
Legislature of 1854. 

10. Copy of the city Laws and Ordinances. 

11. The several coins of the United States of this day. 

The following are the records comprised in the above list : 

" This monument is erected in commemoration of Major-General 
Andrew Jackson, who participated in, and with his own hands as- 
sisted in laying the corner stone, when on a visit to this city in 
January, 1840. The corner stone then laid, together with the box 
containing all the papers of that day, with such other documents 
placed therein, were this day removed and deposited in the pedestal 
of the present structure : 



ANDREW JACKSON 

Was born in Waxhaiu Settlement, South Carolina, 
March 15, 1767. 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AT THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, 

January 8, 1815. 
ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

In 1828, and again in 1832, 

Died at the Hermitage, Tennessee, 

June 8, 1845. 

" Names of the commissioners appointed at a public meeting held at 
the St. Louis Exchange, in this city, on the 11th January, 1851, 
A. D. Grossman, Mayor of the city, presiding, the object of which 
was to erect a monument in memory of General Andrew Jackson, 
and in commemoration of the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815. 

071 the part of the Qity. 

A. D. Grossman, Mayor. 
Joseph Genois, Recorder, Municipality No. 1. 
Jas. II. Galdwell, Recorder, Municipality No. 2. 
P. Seuzeneau, Recorder, Municipality No. 3. 

On the part of the State. 

General Joseph Walker, Governor. 

General J. B. Plauche, Lieutenant Governor. 

Gharles Gayarre, Secretary of State. 

L. Heyliger, Secretary of Commissioners. 

" In February 1852, the Legislature of the State of Louisiana passed 
an act incorporating the above Board of Commissioners as a per- 
manent one, and made appropriations towards the erection of an 
Equestrian Statue to be placed on Jackson Square, city of New Or- 
leans, and for the erection of a Battle Monument, on the battle 
ground, in commemoration of the glorious victory achieved by General 
Jackson over the English army, in defending the city on the 8th 
January, 1815. 

" Clark Mills, Washington, D. C, artist, designer, and constructor 
of the Equestrian Statue of General Andrew Jackson. 



" Newton Richards, New Orleans, La., maker of the plans and 
the constructor of the Pedestal." 

Up to a very recent period, the commissioners hoped that they 
would have heen enabled to inaugurate the monument on the 8th 
January, the day which made the name of Jackson immortal, but un- 
foreseen circumstances prevented the consummation of this design. 

Early in December, the statue was ready for shipment, but the 
vessel with its precious burthen did not sail until the 12th, and being 
delayed by contrary winds, only arrived here on the 6th January, so that 
all hopes of dedicating it on the appointed day had to be abandoned. 
Under these circumstances, the commissioners, after due consultation, 
decided that the inauguration should take place on the 9th February. 

Within the limits of a mere business report, such as this is intended 
to be, the commissioners do not pretend to attempt any description of 
the memorable scene that was presented on that solemn occasion. And 
there is the less need for so doing, since the Governor of the State, the 
Lieutenant Governor, -and the high Executive Officers, the Senate, 
and the House of Representatives, in response to the invitation ex- 
tended to them to participate in the ceremonies, attended in a body, 
and witnessed with their own eyes the consummation of a tribute to 
the memory of one of the very greatest men of our country ; the suc- 
cessful completion of which reflects the highest honor on the patriotic 
individuals who contribute and the State which so powerfully aided 
in the erection of this noble piece of sculpture. 

Of the artist to whose skill we are indebted for this living repre- 
sentative of the great hero, the commissioners can only say, that 
his work has exceeded even their most sanguine expectations. The 
universal sentiment of the community, of the one hundred thousand 
persons that congregated on the day of inauguration to drink 
patriotic inspiration at the shrine of the venerated chieftain, whose 
every feature is engrafted on the memory of all Louisianians, has 
stamped the seal of approval on this magnificent conception of what 
Andrew Tackson was on the day when he returned in triumph from 
the victory he had so signally achieved over the invaders of American 
soil. 

It is due to Clark Mills, to state that he has perfected this work 
under more than ordinary difficulties. After having advanced far in 
the completion of the statue, he had the misfortune to lose his 
fuund)-y by fire, and with it, the model and moulds on which he 



depended for the erection of the monument. Nothing daunted, how- 
ever, he went to work anew, and has finished the statue within one 
year of the time prescribed by the contract. 

The/commissioners, entrusted with funds over which they have 
always exercised [the most watchful and economical guardianship, 
have not felt justified in obeying those dictates, which, as private 
individuals, they would have experienced less hesitancy in doing. 
As the accounts below will show,they have paid him thus far, ^80,000, 
but he demands 35,000, as due to him under the contract ; the pay- 
ment of which would reduce the balance remaining in the hands of 
the commissioners to |7,153 23-100. Under the losses which Mr. 
Mills sustained in the prosecution of his work, we are free to say 
that he is entitled to this consideration ; and we recommend to the 
Legislature to grant it. 

In this connection, the commissioners have to remark that all the 
arrangements of the inauguration devolved upon the Jackson Monu- 
ment Association, and that the entire expenses were likewise met by 
them, the city having rendered no assistance whatever in the matter. 

Such being the case, it affords us no little gratification to state, 
that the whole of this expenditure, as per statement at foot, only 
amounted to $1,669 80-100. Nor can we close this portion of our 
labors without thus publicly thanking the various societies and public 
bodies of our city for having so patriotically responded to the invita- 
tion to cooperate with the Association, in rendering due honor to the 
occasion. 

In our last report to the Legislature, we announced that the com- 
missioners had finally succeeded in securing the most eligible spot of 
ground on the battle-field of 1815, with a view of carrying into 
execution, at an early day, the duties imposed on them under the 
"Act for the relief of the Association for the Jackson Monument, and 
for the erection of a memento upon the battle ground of the eighth 
of January, 1815 ;" approved 26th February, 1852. The commis- 
rioners had unanimously determined that the manifest design of the 
State was, the construction of a shaft rising to a towering hight, so 
as to form a conspicuous point of attraction and elevation, which 
could be discerned at a distance of many miles ; and thus, whilst 
impressing the beholder with the loftiness of the structure, designate 
likewise, for all time to come, the site of that great and wonderful 



8 

achievement which delivered our city from destruction, and the soil 
of Louisiana from foreign invasion. 

Acting on this opinion, the correctness of which was made apparent 
by the course adopted by the General Assembly in 1855, the com- 
missioners advertised for plans for the erection of a shaft or obelisk 
on the battle-field of the 8th January, 1815, the material to be 
either of iron or marble. On the 16th April last, the commis- 
sioners proceeded to the examination of the various plans submitted ; 
but with the view of deciding cautiously in a matter of so much 
importance, they had several meetings, and investigated closely the 
claims and architectural advantages offered by each plan. Owing 
to this necessary delay, it was not until the 30th May, that the 
Association finally adopted, by a unanimous vote, the joint plan of 
Newton Eichards and John Stroud & Co., for a marble shaft 
150 feet high, 16 feet 8 inches at the base above the foundation, and 
12 feet 6 inches at the apex. 

The Association thereupon advertised for proposals to build the 
shaft in conformity with specifications, and on the appointed day, the 
bid of N. Richards and John Stroud & Co., being the only one tendered 
to construct the shaft in accordance with the plan and specifications 
adopted on the 30th May, for the sum of $57,000, was unanimously 
accepted by the commissioners. 

A copy of the plan of the contemplated structure, of the contract 
entered into by the Association, and of the act of sale of property on 
the battle ground, accompanies this report. 

The contractors have already gone to work, and completed the 
entire foundation, rising to a height of thirteen feet, and presenting 
the most solid and substantial piece of masonry ever constructed in 
this State, and susceptible of bearing three times the weight of the 
superstructure which it is destined to receive. Upwards of 400,000 
bricks have been used on this work. 

Under the contract, payments are to be made in the following 
manner : 
1st. When the excavation is made and the timber for the 

foundation is laid, - . . . . $1,000 

2d. When the brick work of the foundation is built from 

bottom, six feet high, - - - - 3,900 

Carried over, ... . . - ^ 4^900 



Erouglit forward, ^ 4,900 

3d. When the brick work of the foundation is built to its 

lieiglit, ready to coinmence the shaft upon, - - 3,900 

4th. When the shaft of the monument is built up to the 

height of at least fourteen feet, frontices, cornices, and 

stairway included, - - - . . 5000 

5th, For the next two sections of fourteen feet in height, 

$4,000 each ------ 8,000 

6th. For the next six successive sections of fourteen feet 

in height, $4,500 each, - - . - . 27,000 

7th. When the last section, of sixteen feet in height, which 

completes the work, and the doors, steps, and every 

thing is finished, the balance, viz : - - - 8,200 



$57,000 

The first three payments, amounting to $8,800 are due, and have 
been accordingly made. The builders are now about to contract for 
the marlile, and when it arrives 'here, tliey will push forward the 
work as rapidly as the safety of the structure w^ll admit. 

In order that no delay or suspension of the labor may take place, 
the commissioners deem it proper to call your attention to the neces- 
sity of setting apart from time to time, such appropriations as will 
enable them to go on Avith this patriotic undertaking, and carry it 
through in two years longer to a successful completion. The scene 
which the members of the General Assembly witnessed in this city 
on the 9th of February last, will have convinced them that any 
means whicli may be adopted to perpetuate the memory of the illustri- 
ous Jackson, and of the glorious feat of arms, in which he was tlie 
chief actor, will find a hearty response in the breast of every citizen 
of Louisiana, and will receive a unanimous verdict of approval by 
the people of tlio whole State. And the commissioners, without arro- 
gating to themselves any credit, may be permitted to refer to the 
accounts below in evidence of the extremely economical management 
of tlie Association. 

Whilst thus far the commissioners have cause to be grateful for 
the success of their labors, the painful task remains to them of 
announcing tlie sad liereavemcnt they have experienced in the demise 
of Gen. Joseph Walker, one of tlie members of the Board. 

From the very commencement, tlie deceased took a warm interest 
ill the work committed to the care of the Association, and labored 



10 

prominently in bringing about the result, which lie was so desirous of 
witnessing. 

His eulogy has already been pronounced by your Honorable 
bodies. Suffice it to say that he was an honest, upright, and good 

man. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

A. D. GROSSMAN, 

President. 
h. Hbyliger. Secretary. 



11 



s 




g 




^ 






lO 


g 


lO 


Ci 


oo 


00 


tH 


«J 


^ 


•^ 


^ 




« 


"^ 


^ 


~c5 


J» 


•fci 


i-O 


'^^ 


^ 


■:S 


fe; 


o 


f^ 




S 


<» 
XS 


^ 


■u 


H 


'^ 


i 


1 


f^ 




1 


f§ 


^ 


5^ 




O 


g 




^ 


•K> 




00 


^ 


?S 


^ t-^ 


B^ 


> 


^ 




^ 




t^ 




a^ 




fe( 




o 




^ 




^ 




f^ 




^ 




^ 




^ 




"^ 




^ 




1 "-n 





00 

oo 



_2 +^ 



0©= 



CD 






OD 



a 



03 



o 

(D 53 

tH — ' c3 O 



'«+-. 



Jh rt C3 . 

'^ _o ^ g o 



c3 



eS ^ g rrt 'XS r^ 

^ m fl S tJ 

O ^ 2 f-i ra 

'" "* ID O) 

O t. ' •' O ^ - 



C^ o O J- C 

•"S S-i ^ 03 .ti 



O 

00 -'^ 

PR 



PQ 





CM 






o 




O 






o 




00 






o 




ZD 






o 
o 

o 

CM 


^ 


, 


;.< 


^n 


o 


OJ 




O 




M 


C3 




c» 


"S 
<-> 




QJ 


' 


13 


of 


rC> 


__rH 
-l-J 




H 


C 


o 

OS r^ 


o 


1 


s 


'3 


q lO 


+J 






o 


.2 


o 


1 


«+H 


H-1 






> 


O 


03 O 


.3 







CO 


??,o 


■XS 




o 


a 


^^ 




+J" 


t-l 


m 


a.t^ 






CO 


<D 


^.'2 


o 


O 


od 


^^ tJO 


oi 


PI 




2 o 


P3 




PQ 






od 




o 

(M 







< ^ 



fl o 

P to 

9. ffo 



o 
o 

o 
o 



<o 
o 



o 



o 
o 



lO 



o> 
o 

o 
o 

lO 



to 



o 

m 

a 
o 

o 

'oS 



5 o3 a> 
o 



.cq 



o3 C 

is -^ 



5 e.^o 



ro ^ •;:3 q 



Q 

o 



o 5 

&H *- 






03 



a> o '^ 
o I — I 
i-, ^ CO 

, OS r-H O 

CD ^ -l-i 

(DO 

'^^^ 

■S ^2 
p.-g S 

■^ 2-S 



PQ 



t a 

o o 



O) O 



^, -^ 



O 



P! o oi g 
Oi 1^ -t^ ^ 

Ph:=5 ?^PP 

t^ o r! 

fcf-' |.r2 

ri o ^-* ^ 



s::^^ 






to 
uO '^ 

T-^ 03 



rH CO Qj 



PH g 



,.03-^ 

2 ^^ 
ri _ 02 
O) fJ3 o3 

o 



to 






&0 » 

9 2- 

c^ 03 A 



6 



00 
CM 

(M 

oo" 



•T3 



O 

a 

PP 



o 

o 


o 

to 


oo 

CO 


1-H 

to 




tH 



12 






oo 
CM 

oo" 



oo 

CM 






I 

05 



■ot 
























.2 


PS 
























'? 


p 
























S 


rO 



























c 
























s 


:i 
























n 






























s 
























a 


c3 
























cS 


>» 
























>^ 


« 
























PQ 





000 




>o 







0" 









~iO~ 


»o 


CO 




00 


U3 














CM 


rH 


oc 




10 


rH 




CD 






«x> 


-3i 


10 


rH 









C» 










CO 


05 


CM 




•O^iO^ 






0^ ^^ 


T-l 










iO 


CO 




























tH 




cf of 






co" (?f 












CM 


'^t 


€©= 
























rH 


1 


-(13 




rk Mills, 


leposit in 
le Eques- 


1 
1 


'k Mills, 

on account 
tal, 

Insurance 

oner South- 


1 



CO 

g 




1 



p 




1 

CO 


• 




p— 1 


rt 


-i-> 




oT 


15 




r^ 


;=! 


•N 


ward, 
Guyo 


' 

^ 


, 


1 


f Clai 
hards 
pedes 
bants' 
trance 
r scho 




B 


So 




1 




bC 





6 


3 
^ 


^ 




^ 


.^ fl 




00 'T^ f= 


pq 






^ 


•f"^ 


' 







6 



e3 




en 


• -< ^ r CO 

^tti fin ,0 S « - 

oj T3 ^ fc-H -r « 




w 





c3 


c5 


t2 


!3 



U 
■4-3 



a 


-^ 


-2 £ 


-1-3 


id dri 

idN. 
tract 
aid ]\ 
y, for 
statu 


a 
p 


c§ 


''r—i 


^ 





CO '"^ 
•7* CO 

^6 


.2h 


ash pa 
rial fe 
isli pa 
ash " 


as 


-M 


ash pa 
ash pa 
of con 
ash p! 
Comp' 
on the 






10 


p 










OOQ 




00 














i 



EH 


e3 
© 




T-l 


tA o^ 


c6 




ci :: 

CM CO 




»o 




^ 




r-l 




^ 


"* 


^ 




"^ 









■-• 




- 






H^ 









^ 


















13 



o 






OO 

CM 

CM 

ocT 

93= 



g 

i 






o 






fl d 4. 



^ CO CO O 



O O 

j_, M rt 






e3 fl 



3 
-^ 



S Ph 



'^ Sin 






in 1^ 



-t-3 O 

c3 ,s-c 






-1 03 ^^ 



c3 






CN 

00 
05 

«&= 



OJ 



o " 



c3 



O >-5 



, . O 



0:5 






2 -^ » ^ 
£3 ?-i ti ^^ 



o c 



''-' a'Z, o o Qj 



O (M 



rri 8 



CO OT r; 9 

00 

CD T— I 

<^ • ^ 
1—' a -* 









o «J 



gj (y " 



r— ; ri^H r3 <D -3 






^ 



^ c3 



.*-H' ^ 



03 



a 



10 

















10 


-M 





—■ 











(?^ 


ri 

















Ol 


C5 





(^ 








CM 


T— ( 


co^ 


0^ 


10 





Oi^ 





CO 


T^T 


r-<^ 






co" 


r-T 




1—1 












o\ 


€©= 












€©= 





a> 


rH 


i=l 


-M 

^ 


03 


rt 







OJ 


rt 
















a 

c3 




:4 



•^ 
^ 
s 

s 



X 
CI 



^-z 



CO 



■X) 

ox 

CM 
CM 



O 









i 



o 
S 






CO 



CM 



oo 

o 

CO 



o 
o 

o 

CO 
CM 



o 

o 

o 
o 

co" 



o 



CO o o 



o 



o to 



o 

1— 

10 



(M 



.' o 



<I> 






2 55 

o 



E-g2gf^ 



o 



>^«4-c 



CO 



CI 

c3 



m 



o ci o) 



20 g § 






WJI-J 



r^ O 
+J CO 



o 



^ cS 






Iz; 



:3 fl 

3 'ill 






;-( _ r, a> 

f^' S s -^ 

— ' o •'"^ S 






10 
o 



CO 

CO 



f^ c o 

Sh CO r^-( 

S CO S 



o 

Eh 



o 

CM 



g 

<: 



P=^ 



If) 



"to 



o 






QO 



CI 
(M 

CO 






Xfl 



^ 
^ 









I 

o 



^ 




















c 










g 








, 


c3 








K 


>^ 








c 


« 








H 


lO 








CO 


(X) 


o 








CM 


CM 


,— 








CO 


CM 


1 t— ^ 








lO 


t- 


1—1 








I—I 


(M^ 


! cc" 








of 


co" 


CO 








T-H 


^ 


! m 








^? 


^v> 


I 




Cr. 


c;^ 


'^ 




1 


S 


^ 


O 


t- 






> 


oc 


O 


-* 








•rtH 


O' 


o 


1 


1 


>^ 


05^ 


tH 


tH 






<7i 


1— 1 . 











>-.■ 



^ O .-S •" r; o 2 o 

t^ o S § ^ ^-^ S 

-bijo fiH^.:! ^.oJ « r. 
^ S '^ 






--^ CO H-, cc 



O CO 

O 



o 



IH 



oo 



;3 






5^ ■*-• 
O CD 

,-i;cM 






LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



014 497 758 



M 



